Transfer story
Liverpool have been long-term admirers of Mohamed Salah – the Egyptian winger who came very close to joining the Reds in 2013 under Brendan Rodgers. The move never got through as he went on to sign on for Chelsea subsequently. But with Jurgen Klopp ready to sign a wide player in the summer to have ample options for the next season, Salah has emerged as an option with the club hierarchy ready to sanction a move for the winger.
Salah had once said, “Liverpool had wanted me for a number of months. I was waiting for Liverpool because I really like Liverpool. I was eager to join them. But then I received a phone call from Mourinho and that changed everything.” His comments back in 2013 prove his wish to play at Anfield but with his current club, AS Roma slapping a €50 million price tag on the Egyptian, it is unlikely for Liverpool to pay such a hefty fee for him. But it is also claimed that the Reds will spend that amount on Salah if they fail to land their number one target – Julian Brandt.
Player stats
Salah has reinvented himself since his move to Rome from Florence for a £12.5 million fee in 2015. He has scored 23 goals and assisted 32 times during his time with AS Roma with this season arguably being his best in a long time. With 13 goals and 12 assists in the Serie A this time around, he has been the catalyst for a decent season for the Italian giants. With the Egyptian averaging 2.7 dribbles and 1.3 key passes per game in Serie A, Salah has been a force to reckon with. (whoscored)
What he’ll offer to the club?
Liverpool suffered in Sadio Mane’s absence during his spell with his national side and also after he was ruled out of the season with an injury in March. A like for like replacement is the need of the hour and Salah can fit the bill perfectly. Salah has a sheer brutal pace which he combines with his intelligent link-up play and more importantly, can play on either of the wings and contributes with goals in important scenarios. He will provide more options for the Reds going forward next season if Jurgen Klopp decides to sign him and complete one of the biggest transfer sagas of all time concerning Liverpool.
Worth the money
€50 million might sound too much for a player who might not get into the starting lineup if all the current first team players are fit and in form. But to be competitive in Europe and also in domestic competitions, Liverpool need big names who can turn a game on its hand single handed. Salah has turned into a player of that sort in the past two seasons and signing him might prove to be a shrewd move. Though he represents Egypt, the Afcon is two years away as the Reds should not be thinking about that from now on.
